If you have read our blogs, you have probably seen some on Gestalt Language Processing (GLP)! Those are great resources to learn more about what it is and answer some questions related to how to support them. If you haven’t read them or have questions about what it is, GO CHECK THEM OUT! Since those have been posted, we have had more questions recently about our kids who are Gestalt Language Processors and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication Device). One question we are getting more has been if children who learn language this way should get an AAC device. Per usual, there is not a simple straight forward answer for this question, but many things to consider. Let’s dive in!
With all of our children, we are really wanting to give them a way to communicate with us. We want to make sure that they can communicate using autonomous communication. This means, we want them to be able to say: What they want, When they want, and How they want. This does not just mean we want them to be able to tell us when they need something. We use language for so much more than just requesting things when we need them. Think about your day and all the conversations you have throughout. I know that you talk about more than just what you need in the moment. Other ways we use language include:
-Commenting on items/activities
-Shared joy with others
-Transitions
-Requests
For our kids who are more difficult to understand or who are not using spoken words, how can we give them access to all the words they may want to use for a variety of purposes? Can they do this already with spoken words? If not, an AAC device would give them the access to a large set of words that they could learn to use for a variety of reasons during their day! This does not mean that if you give a child an AAC device that they will immediately start telling you all of the things, but it would give them access to the words that they can explore on their own time!
So, short answer would be that it could be beneficial to look into an AAC device for your little one! It is also important to note that though a device could be beneficial, there is more to think about when selecting the right device for your child and how to program it better for their learning and development. This is where we come in!
Ask the SLP working with your child about a device and if/how it could benefit your child!
-Amber-